Center hold-down device for tension type window screens



April 27, 1954 J. H. JENSEN EIAL ,676, 53

CENTER HOLD-DOWN DEVICE FOR TENSION TYPE WINDOW SCREENS Filed Sept. 4, 1951 INVENTORS David J Rust Jlac]: J6. Jensen ATTORN EYS Patented Apr. 27, 1954 CENTER HOLD-DOVJN DEVICE FOR TENSIGN TYPE WINDOW SCREENS Jack H. Jensen and David Jordan Rust, San Leandro, Calif., assignors to Ry-Lock Company, Ltd., San Leandro, Calif., a corporation of California Application September 4, 1951, Serial No. 245,067

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates in general to improvements in the securing devices for tension type window screens.

In this type of screen the section of wire-cloth or screening is fitted at the lower edge with a bottom cross bar, and the latter is connected adjacent opposite ends to the window frame by screen hold-down or tensioning devices.

When the screen is of abnormal width, such end tensioning devices are not Wholly effective to maintain the requisite tension on the screen for its full width and, in the absence of other holddown means, the screen tends to slack in the central area by reason of slight upward bowing of the bottom cross bar between its ends.

It is therefore the major object of this invention to provide a novel center hold-down device for the bottom cross bar of a tension type window screen which is of greater than normal width;

such device being operative to maintain the bottom cross bar straight relative to the sill and the central area of the screen taut.

Another important object of-the invention is to provide a center hold-down device which is readily'manually engaged or disengaged from a connector part on the sill; the devicewhen so engaged-automatically imposing tension on the central area of the screen.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a center hold-down device which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture; for simplicity of permanent attachment to the bottom cross bar of a tension type screen; and for convenience of use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a practical and reliable center hold-down device for tension type window screens, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation showing the lower portion of a tension type window screen; the center hold-down device being shown in use between the bottom cross bar and the sill.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevation showing th device as attachedto the bottom cross bar, but detached from the holding screw on the sill.

Fig, 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section showing the center hold-down device ad- .jacent'but disengaged from the holding screw.

2 Fig. 4 is a similar View, but shows the device as engaged with said screw.

Referring now more particularly to the charactors or" reference on the drawings, the present invention is adapted for use in connection with a tension type window screen which includes a rectangular section of wire-cloth or screening l supported in a window frame 2 by means of a top cross bar (not shown) secured to the header of the window frame 2, and a bottom cross bar 3 disposed immediately above the sill 4.

The bottom cross bar 3 is normally but releasthe window frame 2.

When the screen is under tension by the devices 5, the lower edge of the bottom cross bar 3 is in clearance relation to the top of the sill 5, and this space is normally closed by a vertically slidable or adjustable lJ-shaped bottom strip 1 which engages on the bottom cross bar 3 from below; such bottom strip i being adjustable by means of a forwardly projecting, finger engageable flange 8.

When the screen is of normal width the devices 5, at opposite ends of the bottom cross bar 3, are sufficient to eilectively tension the section of Wire cloth 1 for its full width. However, when the screen is of greater than normal width, requiring a relatively long bottom cross bar 3, the latter tends to bow upwardly in the central portion in the absence of separate hold-down means for this part of said bar; the result being that the section of wire cloth I is not properly tensioned in the central area.

To overcome this objectionable result the present invention provides a novel center hold-down device for the bottom cross bar; such device being indicated generally at 9, and connecting between the bar and a vertical holding screw it) secured in the sill 4 and upstanding therefrom. The vertical holding screw it includes a screw head H, and the screw is disposed adjacent but slightly to the rear of the bottom cross bar 3.

The center hold-down device 9 is attached to the bottom cross bar 3 substantially centrally of its ends, and comprises a rearwardly facing back plate l2 formed at its upper edge with a pair of transversely spaced, downwardly opening hooks 13 which engage through corresponding slots M in the bottom cross bar 3; such books 13 being 3 closed in clamping relation to said bar, whereby to permanently affix the back plate 12.

Adjacent the juncture of the back plate l2 and hooks It, said back plate is formed with a rearward offset I5 whereby to dispose said back plate in spaced relation to the rear face of the bottom cross bar 3. Such space is indicated at 16, and its purpose is to permit the bottom strip 7 to be adjusted vertically without obstruction.

It is to be noted that the back plate I? lies in engagement with the adjacent flange or skirt of the bottom strip l', whereby to stabilize said back plate when the center hold-down device 9 is in use.

An integral base plate ll projects rearwardly from the lower edge of the back plate i2, and centrally of its ends such base plate ii is formed with a slot is which extends rearwardly, being open at its outer end.

The outer end portion of the slot is is defined, on opposite sides, by a, pair of rearwardly projecting, down-curved spring tips is integral with the base plate 5? and formed with rounded, inwardly converging adjacent edges 2%.

Laterally outwardly of the spring tips on the opposite ends of the base plate latter is formed with integral, upturned engageable tabs 2 i.

For use of the center hold-down device it, as described above, the vertical holding screw it] is run into the sill 5 to the extent that the bottom surface of the screw head ii is slightly below" the base plate ll when said device 9 is in an adjacent but released position, as in 3.

The tabs 2i are then finger-engaged, and the device 9 is forcefully drawn rearwardly, whereupon the spring tips 2% en age under and slide beneath the screw head ii; the shank of the screw passing into the slot l3 and the head ll then resting on the base plate H on opposite sides of such slot. As the spring tips l9 engage with a cam action under the screw head ii, a downward force is e: erted-through the center hold-down device %on the bottom cross bar 3, assuring that the latter remains straight relative to the sill, with proper tension on the central portion of the screen, which tension approximates that imposed on the screen at opposite ends of the cross bar 3 by the tensioning devices 5.

l9 and ii, the finger- Wit the center hold-down device 53, construct ed as described, including the spring tips l9 and the finger tabs 2 l, the device can be readily and conveniently manually engaged or disengaged from the vertical holding screw ID; the spring of the tips is assuring of proper entry of the headed screw into the device in effective screen tensioning relation.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as will substantially fulfill the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as newand useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

A hold-down device for releasable connection between the bottom cross bar of a tension-type Window screen, a headed shank eiernent secured to and upstanding from the sill; said device comprising a base plate projecting rearwardly from the bottom cross bar, means securing the base plate to the bottom cross bar, there being a rearwardly opening slot in the base plate to receive the shank element with the head thereof seated on said base plate; and guide tips for the curving downwardly and projecting with a rearward slope from the base plate on opposite sides oi the slot with the facing edges of the tips flush at their forward end with the edges of the slot and diverging thence rearwardly from each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,672,896 Marshall June 12, 1928 1,961,333 Nye June 5, 193 2,379,747 Richards July 3, 1945 2,380,794 Rust July 31, 1945 2,605,828 Lang Aug. 5, 1952 FOREEGN PATENTS Number Country Date 196,931 Switzerland July 1, 1938 

